Month

Legislative Change

Action point for employers

June 2021

Breastfeeding discrimination and harassment law came into effect on 19 June 2021.

The new law protects breastfeeding women against discrimination (direct or indirect) and harassment (i.e. engaging in unwelcome conduct towards or creating a hostile or intimidating environment for the breastfeeding woman) on the ground that she is breastfeeding.

Employers will be held liable for the discriminatory acts of their employees done in the course of their employment (even if they are done without the employer's knowledge or approval), unless they can show that they took reasonably practicable steps to prevent the employee from doing the acts.

For further details on discrimination law, please see our previous articles.

• Arrange training for staff to understand the new changes to the law.
• Implement or review and update anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies
• Establish a process for resolving discrimination complaints
• Consider and arrange appropriate facilities (e.g. a room with privacy, chair with back rest, table and refrigerator) for employees with breastfeeding needs

July 2021

The Employment Ordinance was amended to gradually increase statutory holidays...